Music

Musical Background and Biography

J87 is an allias for Joshua Kaggwa born 11/09/1987 in Jinja, Uganda in a family of 8 children. I started music in a school choir at Kisa Primary School in Luwero, Uganda which school is based on a Seventhday Adventist christian background. Before i knew that i'd probably one time record music, i started writing. And that's how i ended up loving music and getting involved in it.

Music is the food to my soul

Due to my growing love for music and writing, in 2001 i wrote a number of songs, metaphors, educative scripts about Aids, Health, Peace and poems.In 2006, i did some voluntary work for an NGO of Orphans; training and writing music and plays on different social topics Aids in 2006 called TOAST in Uganda.

In 2003, I met a music lover and schoolmate Baidhye Grace and we teamed up to make a music group, unfortunately or fortunately  he is currently employed by the Uganda Police as a CID. but that doesn't mean that he has dropped music as well because he is writing and producing music and beats.

Together with Grace we engaged in miming at school in case an opportunity arose especially during parties, I recall miming the song “What’s wrong with the world” by Black Eyed Peas yet it was very fresh in the media.

That day we got a lot of attention from gals while the boys saluted uh!! Memories still vivid. Talking about that particular song, it motivated us more and we wrote a couple of songs the following week; one about Peace and another about Aids.From then, we became singing partners until 2004 after O-Level exams when we temporarily separated.Between 2004 and 2006, we both attended different schools and this was a hiccup to our music because we had planned to record the songs.

The time I was at Kampala secondary school for A level I met other guys Brian, Morgan and “Nutty” to write other pieces of music, “MAMA AFRICA” In particular.We wrote this one though before the Ugandan All Stars song “Mother Africa.” This song was never recorded and sooner than later we ran out of time…Morgan and Brian who were S 6 candidates that time became busy for national exams and soon they left school so I knew that’s how far my music would get. We kept in touch but our project had already been derailed by other factors.

For now i don’t know where Morgan is or what he is up to because I last met him in 2010 working for Warid Telecom, we are currently not in touch though.

Brian is part of the Quera Band and they are doing well I saw him on T.V and I felt good for him. Natty left behind no trace at all.

And me, after teaching at Kampala s.s in 2009/2010 and Kololo s.s in 2010, I left for Rwanda for holiday where I got a new teaching job.This was partly another blessing because in Rwanda I have already met and worked with some big names like producer Mastollah of Afro Vision Studio in Kigali, producer Aimabi of Cool Vibe records in Muhanga, Mani Martin, and i have an upcoming project with Jules Sentore.

2011 todate, I have recorded Walk Behind Me, Mbera Icyerekezo(Be my Vision), Know Your Enemy, Inzira Nshya(The New Path) ft Native Tongues Muhanga, Ndicuza(I Regret) ft Aimabi & T Dam, Namarira (No Tears) ft Aimabi, among others. Other upcoming projects include; Gun Epidemic ft Mani Martin, Take u Home ft Jules Sentore, etc

Inspiration

I derrive my everyday music inspiration from 2 Pac, Dead Prez, Master Ace, Mos Def but other musicians who motivate me are; Cannibas of the Horsemen, Immortal Technique, Nas. I also listen to music by Hillsongs, Xzibit, Freddie Fox.

Go by the book

Fantasy is what people want but reality is what they really need. As a musician one needs a lot of support from the media, but as an artiste they need to do  more than enough to put a name forward i mean for now i want to say that music is something that can pull and push you at the same time...my view is therefore that illuminati is not a conspiracy especially in the art of music, film and sport where everyone wants to be a star, get money and live luxuriuosly.

Not far from that, as a musician, it is as well important that one nartures their gifts. There's alot of talent out there but the atmosphere is really missing to put things right; exposure to the media, fans, concert managers and music promoters.